"The Dance" is a song recorded by country singer
Garth
Brooks. The song, written by Brooks' friend, Tony Arata, was a key track on
his self-titled debut album
Garth Brooks and a #1 chart hit. It is considered by many to be Brooks'
signature song.

The song is written with a
double meaning - both as a
love song
about the end of a passionate relationship, and a story of someone dying because
of something he believes in, after a moment of glory.[original
research?]

May 29, 2004 - The World War II Memorial, approved by the U.S. Congress
in 1993, was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The memorial
features 56 granite pillars representing the states, territories of that time
and the District of Columbia, and two arches that symbolize the two theaters of
the war (Atlantic and Pacific). A wall is also featured with 4,000 sculpted gold
stars to commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans killed in the war. The
memorial covers seven landscaped acres.

Thanks to all the
Veterans who receive
this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a good
counter-balance story to the Jane Fonda, "Vietnam Woman Of The Year,"
story.

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet
Nam, other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather
grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann
Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures. A
few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local
bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the
treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the
7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the
bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking
garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she
would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was
disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much
those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out
looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon
Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo.
When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would
not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she
said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly
will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I
always have time for 'my gentlemen.''

With that, she pulled
Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made
quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years,
how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There
weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then
posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter
and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll
never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small
act of kindness meant to my husband.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to
talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. ''That's the
first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,'' he said.

I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across
who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am
grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will
help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the
contribution our service people make.

An old Doberman starts
chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering
about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the
intention of having lunch. The old Doberman thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep
trouble now!"

Noticing some bones on
the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones
with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to
leap, the old Doberman exclaims loudly,

"Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more
around here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look
of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That old Doberman nearly had
me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a
nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it
for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and
strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here,
squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that
conniving canine!"

Now, the old Doberman sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his
back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?," but instead of running,
the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't
seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old
Doberman says ......

"Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another
panther!"

Moral of this story...

Don't mess with the old dogs... Age and skill will always overcome youth
and treachery! BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

If you don't send this to five 'old' friends right away, there will be
five fewer people laughing in the world.

Of course, I am in no way insinuating that you are old, just 'youthfully
challenged'.

In the
middle of a forest, there was a hunter who was suddenly
confronted by a huge, mean bear.

In his fear, all attempts to shoot the bear were
unsuccessful. Finally, he turned and ran as fast as he
could. The hunter ran and ran and ran, until he ended up at
the edge of a very steep cliff. His hopes were dim.

Seeing no way out of his predicament, and with the bear
closing in rather quickly, the hunter got down on his knees,
opened his arms, and exclaimed, "Dear God! Please give this
bear some religion!"

The skies darkened and there was lightning in the air. Just
a few feet short of the hunter, the bear came to abrupt
stop, and glanced around, somewhat confused.

Suddenly, the bear looked up into the sky and said, "Thank
you God, for the food I'm about to receive..."

DATES TO REMEMBER:

1. Thursday,
June 6, 2013 - The NNHS Class of 1955 holds Lunch Bunch
gatherings on the first Thursday of every month at Steve &
John's Steak House on Jefferson Avenue just above Denbigh
Boulevard in Newport News at 11:00 AM. The luncheon is not
limited to just the Class of '55; if you have friends in
that year, go visit with them.

2. Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - The NNHS Class of June 1942 meets
at noon on the second Wednesday of every other month for a
Dutch treat lunch at the James River Country Club, 1500
Country Club Road. PLEASE JOIN THEM. Give or take a few
years makes no difference. Good conversation, food and
atmosphere. For details, call Jennings Bryan at 803-7701 for
reservations.

Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance;
I could have missed the pain
But I'd 've had to miss the dance

Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king?

But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey, who's to say, you know, I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end; the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance;
I could have missed the pain
But I'd 've had to miss the dance
Yes, my life is better left to chance;
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance